Opinion

Interior contributed $10.5 billion to Colorado in 2012

Energy development, tourism, outdoor recreation and other activities on land managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior contributed $10.5 billion in economic output and supported more than 60,000 jobs in Colorado in 2012, according to the federal agency.

The report said there were 17 million visits to Colorado Department of Interior recreation sites in 2012 with recreation on the Interior-managed lands supporting more than 14,000 jobs.

Energy and mineral development on Interior sites supports more than 37,000 jobs.

In 2011, more than 280,000 visitors to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve spent more than $10 million.

The department said that nationwide, it played a substantial role, supporting 2.3 million jobs and adding $371 billion to the national economy during the period.